An abrupt surge of fear or intense discomfort with peak symptoms is best described as?

• A. Panic Attack
• B. Hypomanic episode
• C. Major depressive episode
• D. Manic episode

Answer: (A)

An abrupt surge of fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes points to a panic attack. This pattern is its defining feature: sudden onset of overwhelming anxiety with physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain, typically peaking very quickly.

In contrast, mood-related episodes involve more prolonged changes in mood and energy. A hypomanic episode centers on elevated or irritable mood with increased activity over days, not a sudden, short-lived spike of fear. A major depressive episode and a manic episode require extended periods of specific mood changes (weeks or longer) with additional criteria, not an abrupt peak of fear and autonomic arousal. Thus the description best matches a panic attack.